GP pays Tk 1,000 crore to BTRC

The leading private mobile phone operator Grameenphone has paid Tk 1,000 crore to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) following the directions of the Supreme Court. 

The money was paid by the company on Sunday afternoon, BTRC Senior Assistant Director (Public Relations) Zakir Hossain Khan told The Daily Samakal.

He said a delegation, including Grameenphone Director and Head of Regulatory Affairs Hussein Sadat, handed over the cheque of money to BTRC Chairman Zahurul Haque.

The Appellate Division on Thursday ordered Grameenphone to pay Tk 1,000 crore to BTRC within February 24 (Monday).

On November 24 last year, the Appellate Division asked GP to pay Tk 2,000 crore of the Tk 12,579.95 crore dues claimed by BTRC within three months. The deadline will expire on February 23.

BTRC claimed the dues in 27 sectors from the mobile operator but failed to recover the money. Later, BTRC sent a notice to GP threatening to revoke its licence on April 2 last year.

But GP moved the court seeking a temporary injunction on the notice which was turned down on August 28 that year. The mobile operator later filed an appeal with the High Court.

On October 17, the High Court imposed a two-month injunction on realisation of dues from GP. BTRC later moved the Appellate Division against the order.